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NSA lab analyzes process models Ravi K. Chitilla Editor-in-Chief
The $60 million NSA-funded Laboratory for Analytic Sciences has received national attention for the association between the government agency and a University, but more importantly, it has become a model for the type of interdisciplinary research it conducts, according to Randy Avent, an associate vice chancellor for research development and the principal investigator of the lab. The announcement of the collaboration between N.C. State and the NSA, which took place last August, came only a few months after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked documents about the agency’s methods of wiretapping and surveillance. Almost a year later, the research the lab conducts spans across the
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Dr. Jonathan Kotch speaks with Senator Mike Woodard as a part of the Medicaid Expansion Lobby Day. Attendees of the protest met with their representatives to voice their opinions on medicaid expansion.w
NAACP, other parties lobby General Assembly for medicaid expansion Estefania Castro-Vasquez Assistant News Editor
North Carolina citizens and politicians from both ends of the political spectrum gathered June 3 outside the Legislative Building to lobby for Medicaid expansion in order to provide for people in the coverage gap.
The decision to not accept federal funds to expand Medicaid left more than 500,000 people w it hout hea lt hc a re, accord i ng to the lobbyists’ information pamphlet. “There are some things that are not left or right or Democratic or Republican or conservative or liberal,” said Rev. William Barber, President of the North Carolina NAACP. “They’re
just right. They’re the moral thing to do.” “They are forgetting it’s about life and de at h,” s a id B el h aven Mayor, Ad a m O’Neal. “It’s on a plane above politics.” O’Neal said he was a Republican, but no party was right all the time, and though he agreed
Talley Student Union construction continues Katherine Waller Correspondent
Talley Student Union, currently undergoing its final phase of renovation, has recently progressed in construction and several anticipated projects are nearing their final completion dates. Tim Hogan, N.C. State’s director of the student centers, said if construction continues on schedule, students should anticipate Phase II to open during spring 2015. “So far there are no complications,” Hogan said. Phase II includes the renovation of the original Talley, as well as the two new additions to the south that are located across from Carmichael Gym on Cates Avenue. Hogan said the walls both interior and exterior of the existing structure are almost completely framed. The East Stairs, the main exit stairs closest to Reynolds Coliseum, have also been completed this summer, Hogan said. “The monumental stairs in the main atrium are to be installed later in the summer,” Hogan said. “These stairs are the main stairs in the four-story, open atrium space in the middle of the building. These stairs are open and visible throughout the main area of the building.” Hogan said the new student organization areas will be completed later this summer. Campus groups
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McCrory signs bill to begin drilling Staff Report
CAIDE WOOTEN/TECHNICIAN
Construction workers with Rodgers Builders work on Talley Student Union along Cates Ave. Tuesday afternoon. Phase II is scheduled to be completed Spring 2015.
that will be housed in the areas can expect to use the facilities beginning next semester. The student organization areas are intended to house the 600-plus student organizations on campus. These new spaces are f lexible to house different sized groups, and contain furniture and technology to encourage collaboration and to make every presentation an ideal experience for both the presenter and the audience, according to the
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Gov. Pat McCrory signed a major piece of legislation June 4 on Centennial Campus that is expected to open doors to expedite shale gas exploration and fracking in North Carolina. “Now, for the first time, North Carolina is getting into energy exploration,” McCrory said. “North Carolina has been sitting on the sidelines for too long.” With this new law, North Carolina state officials will be able to begin issuing fracking permits after the N.C. Mining and Energy Commission completes about 120 safety rules, which could be as early as March. If lawmakers debate, revise and send back the Commission’s proposed safety rules, however, it could take until the fall of next year for fracking permits to begin being issued, The News & Observer reported. Budget proposals from both McCrory and the Senate include hiring energy companies to assess the presence and quality of underground natural gas by drilling vertical test wells, according to The N&O. The senate’s budget proposal would include spending about $1.2 million to aid the energy sector by drilling, marketing and analysis. Once the state budget is finalized, the areas to be drilled will be determined. The Senate’s budget passed last week and sent it to the state House, which is expected to discuss its own budget next week. John Skvarla, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, told The N&O the vertical well drilling
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